Check out Tyler's Blog!

Tyler has started his own blog. You can see it at http://worldoftyler-oneinamillionjohnsons.blogspot.com/

Deck the Halls

We are all busy preparing for Christmas. The tree is up. The boys are trying to find or make things for presents because they so love to wrap. 9 Days to go!

For Amy

This picture was taken after our second snowfall. We have quite a bit of snow now, though the rain?!? we had on Sunday melted and compacted what snow we did have. We picked up another inch today and as a result Derek is two hours and ten minutes into his commute by bus and will be another half hour until he gets to the bus stop. The wrong bus stop where we will pick him up and drive him to his car at the right bus stop. His bus was running at least 20 minutes behind this bus so he figured getting on the road sooner rather than later was a better choice. It will all work out fine providing we return home all in one piece with three sleeping kiddos.

Thanksgiving, Ect.

We had a great Thanksgiving. So much to be thankful for! We spent T-day with the Dierdorf family as well as Derek's brothers, David (reading to Allie) and Kurt. Derek's parents were in Japan visiting his sister. We were delighted to have Greg and Anna visit from Chicago. We spent the Friday after T-day in a cooking making frenzy. Greg showed off his skill with the "blender". We made chocolate chip, sugar and jumbo gingersnap cookies. I also tried cornflake wreaths. What a sugar filled day. We went to Edinborough park on Saturday to climb around, slide down and scale the climbing wall. Nothing like clambering through a kids park to make one feel old and worn down! We prevailed though!

Happy Birthday Allie!

One year ago today I became mom to a daughter. Since that day I have learned many things. I have embraced my inner pink. I have gotten misty eyed watching my daughter lovingly carry her baby doll...upside down. I have learned much about footwear fashions and gone to great lengths to squish her little feet into cute shoes. I learned how to polish itty bitty toe nails, and have not yet repeated this feat. I have mastered the "sprout" hair do. I have been delighted to come home from work and see the ponytail created by my stylist apprentice of a husband. I have watched a little face transform into a myriad of pouts, puckers and grins. Thanks, Allie, for being such a great sleeper those first three months. Thanks, God, for giving me something I didn't even know I wanted (a daughter).

This ball toy was a hit. Tyler just had to get it for her. It uses air pressure to blow the balls up in the air. My 10 and 5 year old neighbors want one for Christmas!

First Snow

Today we had our first true snowfall. The boys woke up and declared, "Get the boots, Mom, we are going sledding!" Well there wasn't quite enough snow for sledding but we did get out to make our first snow bunny of the year. How fitting that our last snow creature of last year was also a bunny, due to the fact that we had a blizzard on Easter. Allie did very well for her first snow experience, except for the falling flat on her face part. She recovered quickly though and was quite the little snow bunny herself. Danny whipped snowballs at me, though I was forbidden from retaliating. No fair! Tyler helped roll snowballs for our bunny and added the finishing touches. I would love winter if only it would stay like this. Snow but mild temperatures and no wind. I guess I will take it while I can get it.

Allie

Peek-a-boo! Allie has a favorite hiding spot. When I lose track of here this is where she can be found. Hiding among Tupperware. She is at a great age. She will be one year old in just two weeks. She dances, locates missing people and objects, gives high fives and hugs her baby dolls. She is climbing on everything and has started to protest when we tell her NO! Her favorite thing to stand on is Daddy's subwoofer next to the TV. She tries to sit on it and keeps falling behind the entertainment center, feet in the air. She also can play "Baby go night-night" which is quite adorable. Note the last picture.